Scientific Name:
Thunbergia alata
Pronunciation:
thun-BER-jee-uh a-LAY-tuh
Common Name:
black-eyed Susan vine
Family Name:
Acanthaceae
Plant Type:
Annual (grown as), Vine or climber
Key ID Features:
Leaf blades ovate, most 8-11cm x 5-7cm wide, base sagittate, wings on petiole; flowers in light, warm colours, 5 flat petals with black center.
Habit:
Open, Spreading
Form:
Climbing, Creeping / Mat-like, Weeping
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
0.7 - 1.3m
Mature Spread:
0.6 - 1.0m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Africa
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 11: (above 4 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Arbors or trellis, Attract birds, Attract butterflies, Container planting, Hanging basket, Summer interest
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Opposite
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Pubescent
Colour in Summer:
Greenish yellow
Shapes:
Ovate
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Cordate, Sagittate
Margins:
Dentate
Inflorescence Type:
Flowers solitary, Floriferous
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Salverform
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Orange, Yellow (Thunbergia alata ‘Lemon Star’ is shown in the flower images, Thunbergia alata ‘Orange Eye’ has an orange flower. Thunbergia 'Alba' (not shown) has white flowers.)
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Additional Info:
The images are of Thunbergia alata ‘Lemon Star’. 'African Sunset' is yellow while 'Orange Wonder' is orange.
Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Oct
Additional Info:
Fruit insignificant, (two locules)
Bark or Stem Colour:
Organ Modifications:
Fibrous-like roots, Twining stems
Propagation:
Seed, Greenwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
Maintenance:
Medium
Pest Susceptibility:
Mites, Root rot, Scale insects, Whitefly or psyllids
